Hard work of local PTSA pays big dividends

June 7, 2013

Present for the big check presentation at North Park School May 31 were members of the PTSA, BBPS Foundation and LFBD Committee. Holding the check are Lindsay Schauda, Lucas Bell and Jace Schauda.

By Janice Nozicka and Pam Holcomb
Special to the Chief

Forty thousand dollars. $40,000! After several months of hard work and dedication, the Broken Bow PTSA made their donation to Little Feet, Big Dreams. This $40,000 donation sends Phase 2 fundraising over the top of its goal for two sets of playground equipment at North Park Elementary - a set for the primary students and a set for the older students.
What makes the amount of this donation so significant is that the PTSA didn’t rely on big donations to earn this money. This $40,000 is money earned from our parents, teachers, and students and it came the hard way...with a donation of time and energy!!
The fundraising efforts of the PTSA consisted of events that are hosted annually, as well as a few extra new ideas to help raise the amount of money needed.
The 2nd annual Bid-a-Bag Bonanza was held in February with a group of 50 ladies bidding head-to-head on used purses filled with goodies. This event raised $4,700 this year and is sure to be a success next year as well.
Students in grades K-5 were able to raise just over $15,000 during the 5th annual flower sales. This was record earnings for this project and over a third of that was in monetary donations!
Teresa Caudle spearheaded the Can Drive this spring and was able to save 2,121 pounds of aluminum from being thrown into landfills and instead donated $1,060.42 to the cause. Thanks to Broken Bow Public School’s elementary art teacher, Christine Wieter, the PTSA was able to bring Original Art Works back into the fundraising line-up this past year. This same project will be present again in the fall.
And finally, Amy Cyboron, Janice Nozicka, Jenna Smith, Julie Foster, and Elementary Principal Kim Jonas, fathomed the idea of a PTSA inspired garage sale. It was a ton of work, but very welcome by many members as a way to clear out the clutter. This endeavor netted nearly $2,000 and a few clean garages!
Grocery Kart and Schmick's Market both stepped up and offered to host BBQs. They donated the food and all proceeds supported the PTSA’s efforts. Kevin and Joyce Richardson of Runza also offered 15 percent of Runza’s sales from April 20-22 to help support Little Feet, Big Dreams.
Members of the PTSA were able to donate their time to help support these events. PTSA President Pam Holcomb stated, "It is so great to be able to volunteer my time at these special events because I get to see first-hand how our community works and thrives. It really does take a village to raise a child and we have that here in Broken Bow. We are so lucky!"
The PTSA invites you to join them the first Monday of each month at The Bonfire Grill at 7 p.m. Meetings will begin Monday, July 1.